Peter Lapp discussing his book, Queen of Cuba, at IWPOn September 21, 2026, The Institute of World Politics (IWP) chapter of the International Association for Intelligence Education (IAFIE) hosted retired FBI Special Agent Peter Lapp to discuss his book, Queen of Cuba: An FBI Agent’s Insider Account of the Spy Who Evaded Detection for 17 Years.
Addressing an audience of students and national security professionals, Mr. Lapp detailed the gripping investigation that led to the capture of Ana Montes, the highest-ranking Cuban spy arrested in the United States. Working as a top Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) analyst, Montes compromised highly classified American secrets out of ideological sympathy for Fidel Castro’s regime rather than financial gain. Mr. Lapp captivated the room as he recounted the painstaking counterintelligence operation required to unmask an “UNSUB” (Unknown Subject) operating at the highest levels of the U.S. national security apparatus.
A primary focus of the discussion was the unique profile and methodology of Montes. Mr. Lapp explained that she did not fit the typical profile of an insider threat. She “walked in fully recruited from day one,” solely seeking employment in the U.S. Intelligence Community to spy for Cuba. She evaded security detection by memorizing classified information at work and typing up coded messages to her handlers at home. Mr. Lapp also highlighted the urgent race to arrest Montes ten days after the September 11 terrorist attacks, an accelerated takedown necessary to prevent her from compromising U.S. war plans in Afghanistan.
Mr. Lapp’s book provides a crucial firsthand perspective on counterintelligence operations and insider threats. By sharing the behind-the-scenes realities of tracking an elusive mole, he illuminated the devastating long-lasting impact of espionage and the intense dedication required to stop it. Ultimately, Mr. Lapp’s presentation underscored the enduring and present danger of ideological spies, and the critical importance of robust counterintelligence protocols.
For information on IWP’s IAFIE chapter, see: https://www.iwp.edu/students/the-iwp-iafie-alpha-student-chapter/
To watch the full lecture, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkARaAJL3VI
